Land Rover LR2 Refreshed for 2013

The updated entry-level model in Land Rover's lineup is anything but cheap.

For the past few months we've been reading all about Land Rover's latest and perhaps most controversial model, the Evoque. While it's capable of going off-road, many brand purists aren't happy with the fact that the automaker opted to cater to a market segment looking for something smaller and more urban. Only a couple weeks ago, Land Rover unveiled their redesigned Range Rover which has also garnered some controversy over its exterior styling. But today the automaker is focusing on their freshened 2013 LR2.

The entry-level model not only features a refreshed exterior design, but also a new engine: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot with 240 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. Replacing the 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder, the new engine is 88 pounds lighter thanks to its all-aluminum construction. It's also more powerful by 10 hp and 16-lb-ft. The six-speed automatic transmission with CommandShift, allowing for manual sequential shifts, is carried over from before. Stepping inside and you'll find a new instrument cluster featuring a 5-inch display screen that shows temperature and fuel levels, gear positions, and Terrain Response mode.

There's also a new rear-view camera with "Hitch Assist" and a choice between two Meridian sound system stereos. The premium one has 825-watts and a total of 17-speakers. For those unfamiliar with it, Terrain Response is a fully integrated system that manages things such as the engine, transmission, electronic traction control, dynamic stability control and anti-lock brakes. The system also changes the setting of the electronic center coupling in order to optimize the Haldex all-wheel drive system in tough conditions. Also new is a seven-inch touchscreen nav system featuring the "Say What You See" voice control operation.

Land Rover also points out that all LR2's are equipped with their Intelligent Power System Management (IPSM) which features Smart Regenerative Charging. The way in which this works is that the alternator only charges the battery when the car is decelerating and then recovers kinetic energy, thereby improving overall efficiency. The exterior design has been given a minor freshening as well with revised Xenon headlamps and LED taillamps along with a little nip/tuck work around the grille and fog lamps. There are also three new color selections: Aintree Green, Havana and Mauritius Blue.

As expected from anything Land Rover, the 2013 LR2 doesn't come cheap. Pricing starts off at $37,250 for the base and goes as high as $42,350 for the top-line HSE LUX. More details and pictures will likely arrive next month when the updated Land Rover LR2 makes its official live debut at the Paris Motor Show.